The air plants are named so because they do not need soil to grow. They need air to survive but other factors too have to be taken care of. Also, they grow on other plants without harming them and so they are epiphytic. They emerge from the crooks and branches of the trees. Their natural habitat is in the forests, mountains and generally found in deserts of Southern and Central America.

  1. Position Plants Correctly

The air plants can even be kept in an office or a basement as they don’t require much light. But a full spectrum of light i.e. fluorescent light is a must. If you keep the air plants in the basement, a supply of a minimum of 24 hours of light must be provided to them.

  • They must not be watered a lot. Do not soak or mist the plant completely.
  • Evaluate your space. How much light is your plant receiving? What is the temperature in your home at this particular time of year? Is the space very dry (is your plant near a heater or fireplace?) Or is it very humid?
  • After soaking gently shake excess water from your plant. Turn it upside down and place it on a towel in a bright space. This is very important! Air plants will quickly rot if they are allowed to stand in excess water.
  • Once a week, mist your plant thoroughly so that the entire surface of the plant is moistened (but not so much that there is water dripping down into the plant).
  • Do all watering in the morning. Evening soaking or misting disrupts the plant’s ability to respire overnight and extends drying time.
  • Air plants are pretty easygoing when it comes to their temperature. They do best between 50-90 degrees F. ideally, overnight temperatures will be about 10 degrees cooler than daytime temperature.
  1. Use the Correct Vessel to Water

These baby air plants, which start out very small, will eventually grow into their own mother plants. Pups can safely be separated from the mother plant when they’re about ⅓-½ of size, your air plant in a glass will create a micro-climate:

  • Glass vessels will be more humid and hotter than the surrounding area. When misting your air plant, try to mist around the plant, rather than into the plant. You don’t want to over-water it, but rather to create a humid environment. Air plants in small glass vessels, you probably won’t be able to soak your mounted air plant.
  • However, since they’re not contained to a humid, micro-climate like aeriums, mounted air plants will need even more frequent misting.
  • Rinsing the plants requires you to remove them from their mount and place them in a sieve to be rinsed thoroughly.
  • All parts need to well soaked, including foliage and roots. Soaking is the more thorough method but, again, requires removing the plant from its display.
  • Soak the plant 1 or 2 times per week for 5 hours.
  1. Air Misting

Air plant misting is not the most effective method of watering the plants but it is the most convenient because it allows you to provide moisture in the plant’s setting. Otherwise, you will have to remove the wire that holds the plant on its display and rinse or soak to really get moisture into the roots.

TIPS

  • These plants need a bright but indirect supply of light. They can be grown inside and kept near windows facing in the south or east.
  • The plant can bear more heat only if the humidity is high. Else it can cause damage.

How often do air plants need to be watered?

Your plants should be watered once per week, and 2-3 times is recommended for optimal care. A longer, 2-hour soak is recommended every 2-3 weeks. If you are in a drier, hotter climate, more frequent watering or misting will be needed.

Can you just mist air plants?

Misting is a good way to give your plant a little extra moisture if you notice that its leaves are looking a little dry, or if you live in a drier climate with not very much humidity in the air. Misting is simple, just take a spray bottle or a hose attachment on the “mist” setting and lightly mist your plants.

Which air plants should not be soaked?

5 Air Plants You Should Avoid Soaking
  • Tillandsia Bulbosa.
  • Tillandsia Seleriana.
  • Tillandsia Pruinosa.

How do you keep air plants alive?

These 6 Simple Tricks Will Keep Your Air Plant Alive
  1. Dunking is best. I know you thought you’d be fine just spritzing your tilly every few days, but that isn’t enough.
  2. Always air dry. After they soak, Tillandsias need to dry out fully.
  3. Look on the bright side.
  4. Plants get hungry, too.
  5. Nice and cozy.
  6. Open up.

Do air plants get bigger?

After the first few years they start to get growing a little faster as they get larger sized. While seed grown plants do grow much slower, they tend to be bigger and better specimens than plants grown as offset. It can take years for a small air plant to grow and eventually bloom, so patience is key!

Do air plants need sunlight?

In general, tillandsias (AKA air plants) prefer bright, but indirect, filtered light. Because they require indirect light, air plants make great office plants as long as they get some light, either indirectly from a window source, or artificially from full spectrum fluorescent lights.

How long can air plants go without water?

How much water do they need? Tillandsias are really resistant plants that can survive for long periods without water but that doesn’t mean they don’t need it. If you forget to spray them for more than two weeks it will be possible to save it with water and love.

How long do air plants live?

What is the lifespan of air plants? Depending on the varietal and growth environment, a single air plants can live on for many years. For most air plants, it would take several months for their seeds to germinate. And from then on most of the growth activities will take place over the next 3 to 5 years.

What does an overwatered air plant look like?

Sign of over-watering

It is the most common reason why they die. So if you see that their bases start to turn dark then the leaves fall out from the middle or if they have mushy roots, and yellowing leaves, it is necessary to take immediate actions to prevent any permanent damage that may occur.

Can you water air plants with tap water?

Air plants aren’t too picky when it comes to water, and most tap water is just fine, but it depends on the water quality in your area. The best water to use: rain water, aquarium water, or pond water because these are more rich in nutrients (note: if using one of these waters, don’t add any additional fertilizer).

How do I know if my air plant is dying?

Why are my air plants dying?

If you recently lost an air plant, it was probably due to rot. It’s typically the biggest cause of death in Tillandsia plants. Overwatering your plants is the main cause of this destructive condition. Just like succulents, air plants store water in their leaves which may sustain them for as long as two weeks.

How do I know if my air plant needs water?

A light misting of water to the point of runoff is all an air plant needs. Your plant will usually let you know if it does not receive enough water with discolored leaves or leaves that curl up towards the edges.

Can you save a dying Air plant?

The easiest way to accomplish this is to soak the entire plant in a bowl or bucket of lukewarm water. You may need to tie the plant to a heavy object to keep it from floating to the top of the water. Place the bowl in a warm location and let it soak for 12 hours.

How do you know if air plants need water?

Signs of under-watering your air plant include the leaf tips turning brown or crispy. The natural concave shape of air plant leaves tends to become more exaggerated when under-watered. Unfortunately, if your air plant has been over-watered, it’s often too late to save it.

Can I soak my air plants overnight?

If your air plant is ever looking ‘thirsty’ or like it’s struggling, you can soak them in water (in a bowl or sink) for several hours or overnight. This can often help to revive your tillandsia. When watering your tillandsia, rainwater or pond water are best. Do not water with distilled or artificaially softened water.

Where do you put air plants?

Air plants do best with at least a few hours of bright, indirect sun daily. Placement within 1 to 3 feet of an east- or west-facing window, or within a foot or two of an artificial light source is ideal. If you keep them well watered, they can have hotter, more direct sun and longer exposure.

Why are my air plants leaves curling?

A healthy air plant will have wide open leaves while a dehydrated air plant will have closed and curled leaves! Never submerge the bloom or flower, as it can cause the flower to rot. If you are using tap water, let the water stand for several hours to dissipate any chemicals prior to watering the plants.